Essential Functions
The Employees Retirement System supports state employees who have dedicated their career to supporting Texas! Our Customer Benefits Division is looking for a Survivor Benefits Specialist to perform benefits administration work while ensuring the confidentiality of member personal data. The Customer Benefits Division is responsible for providing superior service experiences to our customers in a fast paced and professional environment. The ideal candidate will have a strong ability to analyze data with high attention detail and clearly communicate information to all classes of retirees, members, internal and external auditors, legal staff, and actuarial consultants. The Survivor Benefits Specialist works under the general direction of the Retirement Benefits Processing Supervisor with moderate latitude for initiative and independent judgment.
ERS promotes a strong work-life balance while driving employee excellence through professional development, a collaborative working environment and a competitive benefits package.
Essential Functions includes, but is not limited to:
- Efficiently answers questions, educates, and counsels members, retirees and beneficiaries in person or over the telephone regarding Chapter 615 and survivor benefits. This involves researching and analyzing laws and rules, policies and procedures, benefit calculations, eligibility requirements, etc.
- Determines heirship and eligibility for survivor benefits as well as calculates benefit amounts. This can include analyzing historical documents, including beneficiary designations, researching deaths through various external channels and creating benefit packets to beneficiaries.
- Processes reported deaths and various incoming documents through a worklist or other assignment means. This includes, but is not limited to, Guardianship, Letters of Testamentary, survivor benefit claim forms and Death Certificates.
- Uses sound decision-making and judgment skills and appropriately applies and interprets existing laws, pending legislation, rules, policies and procedures.
- Communicates tactfully and provides information in a clear and concise manner to internal and external customers. Manages communication style to effectively communicate with various levels of knowledge and experience.
- Works independently and requires limited direction when dealing with complex issues.
- Contributes to creating a productive work unit by tactfully dealing with coworkers, working toward common goals, and demonstrating cooperation in accepting and carrying out new assignments.
As a Survivor Benefits Specialist III:
- Performs highly complex benefits administration and assistance work; serves as senior-level analyst; and provides training to other staff and assists with the development of policies and procedures.
- Performs research and analysis to interpret and apply laws and rules, policies and procedures in determining benefit calculations, eligibility requirements, etc.
Required Minimum Qualifications
Your application for employment must reflect how you meet each of the following minimum qualifications:
- Graduation from an accredited senior high school or equivalent, plus 60 semester hours of college credit. Each year of related work experience over the minimum requirement may be substituted for one year (30 semester hours) of college credit.
- Three (3) – Four (4) years (depending on classification level) of benefits administration or customer service experience.
- Two (2) years of experience applying and explaining complex laws, rules, policies and procedures.
- Two (2) years of experience using analytical skills and applying analytical procedures.
Preferred Qualifications
Your application for employment should reflect how you meet the following preferred qualifications:
5. Graduation from an accredited four-year college/university with major course work in a field relevant to assignment.
6. Experience using PeopleSoft or other automated payroll or benefits delivery system.
7. Experience in administering employee benefit plans.
Other Information
PLEASE NOTE: All applications must contain complete job histories, which includes job title, dates of employment, name of employer, supervisor's name and phone number and a description of duties performed. If this information is not submitted, your application may be rejected because it is incomplete. Resumes do not take the place of this required information.
Other Information: Work is performed in an office environment. This position may require access to privileged, confidential, or sensitive data. ERS will conduct either a TXDPS or FBI criminal history check on all new hires. For more information about this policy inquiries can be made to employment@ers.texas.gov.
Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) Codes
There are no Military Occupational Specialty codes equivalent for this position. Please contact Human Resources at employment@ers.texas.gov with questions or for additional information.
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